By Kate E. Salute
Spc. Lance S. Sage, 26, spent only a short time in the hostile Iraqi environment before an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol on Dec. 27, killing Sage and a private from his division, Joshua Morberg of Nevada. Both served in the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas.
Susan Trenkle, spokeswoman for the Town of Hempstead, said that in honor of Sage, flags will fly at half staff until after his interment, which had not been announced as of Dec. 30.
"It is such a tragedy," said Rosalie Norton, a West Hempstead civic leader, resident and mother. "You never anticipate hearing about such a tragedy with your own family. It's not right -- it's not the normal order for a child to go before a mother. It's tragic, especially at this time, when people are usually celebrating the holidays and the new year."
District 1 Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby knows Sage's mother, Alice Jones, through functions sponsored by the Lakeview Key Women of America organization. "I know she is devastated," said Goosby.
Goosby's voice, although she didn't know Sage, was melancholy after hearing the news about a member of her community. "It is really very sad," she said. "I have a nephew over there and I worry about the same thing. This is the second time he is over there and I am concerned. I will go to visit with her at a later date, and I am going to attend the services for him."
"We will of course make sure that [Sage] gets recognition from the town, and we will do our best to provide all the support that we can," said Goosby. "Another one of our young men gone. I'll be so glad when this war is over."
Comments about this story? KSalute@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 205.
